Multiple drilling apparatus



June 1955 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL 8 5 MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS 4Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed ma 1, 1962 J1me 1965 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL 3, 5

MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2v gas E 1%107 HO 87 j FLU") Paessuau- Somme- J 15, 1965 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL3,139,055

MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORSJERRY W. CocH RANE- and Eov H. CosTNE-ra awm wn June 15, 1965 J. w.COCHRANE ETAL 7 3,189,065 MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed May 1} 1962 m m m JERRY W. COCHEANE- 'and. ROY H.CO6TNER.

United States Patent 3,189,065 MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS Jerry W.Cochrane and Roy H. Costner, Lincolnton, NC, assignors to CochraneFurniture Co., Inc., Lincolnton, N.C., a corporation of North CarolinaFiled May 1, 1962, Ser. No. 191,508 7 Claims. (Cl. 144,-112) The presentinvention relates to multiple drilling ap paratus particularly adaptablefor simultaneous-- drilling of a plurality of holes in a workpiece in adesired pattern arrangement and at the desired angles.

While it is recognized that multiple drilling apparatus has beendeveloped for a number of industries, none of this apparatus has beenfound suitable for the furniture industry wherein so often the holes tobe drilled must be drilled at a compound angle with the angles ofvarious holes varying with respect to each other. This is particularlytrue in the manufacture of Wooden furniture such as chairs, small-tablesand the like, wherein it is the normal practice to drill a plurality ofholes, usually four in number, in the lower surface of the table top orthe seat portion of the chair or the like. These holes are usuallyformed at compound angles relative to the table top or chair seat andreceive the upper ends of suitable leg members which extend downwardlyfrom the table top or chair seat in diverging relationship to each otherand serve to support the table or chair.

Also, in the manufacture of chairs and the like, it is common practiceto drill holes in the upper surface of the seat portion for reception ofthe lower ends of post members which make up the frame for the chairback and, if arms areto be provided on the chair, to drill holes forreception of the lower ends of post members which support the arms. Incertain types of chairs, the chair back is made up of a pluralityofspindle-like members which are positioned relative to each other sothat the chair back assumes a generally curved configuration which willconform substantially to the configuration of the human back. Holes areusually drilled in the seat portion in the pattern and at the variousangles at which the spindle-like members are to be disposed. The lowerends of these members are positioned in these holes and the holesdetermine the pat-tern and various angled relationship thereof. Usually,the majority of the holes are formed at compound angles relative to theseat portion so that the spindle-like members diverge upwardly from theseat portion and also are tilted reanwardly relative thereto.

Heretofore, it has been the practice of the furniture industry to drillthese holes individually by means of drill presses by-suitablemanipulation of the drill and/ or the workpiece on a pattern or jig. Itcan readily by appreciated that this practiceconsumes considerable timeand is quite laborious since the average piece of furniture wouldrequire quite a number of holes to be drilled therein. Also, theaccuracy at which these holes had to be drilled require that a highlyskilled person be employed to insure that the same were formed in asmooth pattern and at the desired angles.

The apparatus of the present invention obviates these problems byproviding an apparatus including a bank of drill units which are movableinto engagement with a work- It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved drilling apparatus wherein all of thedesired holes may be formed in one side of a workpiece in a singledrilling operation and these holes may be formed in variable patternsand at variable angles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drillingapparatus including a plurality of drill units and wherein the drillunits are mounted for individual uni.- versal angular adjustment to formthe holes at variable angles including compound angles and for linearadjustment relative to eachother to form the holes in any desiredpattern.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a drillingapparatus of the character described including means for insuringcorrect positioning of the workpieces in the apparatus relative to thedrll units.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provideadrilling apparatus of the character described having a plurality ofdrill units selectively operable so that any desired numb-er thereof maybe used to drill holes in the work-piece.

A further more specific object of the present invention is to provide amultiple drilling apparatus including a plurality of drill units, firstmeans mounting the drill units for linear longitudinal and transversemovement relative to a workpiece to arrange the drill units in a desiredpattern, second means mounting the drill units for individual universalangular adjustment to arrange the drill units to form holes at desiredangle-s, including varying compound angles, and visual indicating meansprovided on said first means to facilitate the arrangement of the drillunits in the desired pattern and also provided on said second means tofacilitate the compound angular adjustment of said drill units.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in

which: a j v FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially alongline 4-4 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded isometric view with portions broken away of themounting means for each of the drill units which is shown in the uppermedial portion of FIG- URE 4-;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 5 inassembled relationship;

piece for simultaneously drilling all of the desired holesin FIGURE 7 isan elevational view, partially in section, taken substantially alongline 7-7 in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line8-8 in FIGURE 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus of thepresent invention is generally indicated at It and includes asubstantially rectangular base 11. 'Base .11 includes suitable postmembers 12 which are provided at each of the four corners of the base11. If desired, additional post members may be provided at intermediateplaces thereof as required. Post members 12 are preferably constructedfrom suitable steel channel stock which has good compressive resistance.The top or bed portion of base 11 comprises a pair of end members 13connecting a pair of side members 14 to each other at opposite ends todefine the outer configuration thereof. Members 13 and 14 are preferablyformed of suitable angle material and are mounted on post members 12 byany suitable means such as welding (not shown).

A pair of spaced apart plates 15, 16 are mounted at opposite ends on endframe members 13 and extend therebetween. Plates 15 and 16 are spacedapart a sufficient distance to provide a longitudinally extending slotthrough which suitable bolts 17 may penetrate for reasons to bepresently described. Two sets of spaced apart plates 20, 21 are mountedat opposite ends on plate 15 and the adjacent side frame member 14,respectively, at spaced apart locations intermediate end frame members13. Likewise, two other sets of spaced apart plates 22, 23 are mountedat opposite ends on plate 16 and the ad jacent side frame member 14,respectively, in lateral alinement with each set of plates 29, 21.Plates 2%, 21

and 22, 23 are spaced similar to plates 15 and 16 to provide laterallyextending slots for the reception of bolts 17.

Angle members 30 having horizontal and vertical legs 30a, 30b,respectively, are mounted on plate 15 with the bottom of vertical legs30b, resting on the upper edge of plate '15 and forming an extensionthereof. One of the angle members 30 extends substantially between eachof the end frame members 13 to which it is connected at one end, and theadjacent plates 20, 21, respectively. The other angle member 30 extendsbetween plates and 21 of the two sets.

Angle members 31 are substantially indentically mounted on plate 16except that the same are allochirally arranged relative to angle membersso that the horizontal legs thereof extend outwardly from the verticallegs in opposite directions. Also, angle members 32 are mounted in likemanner to angle members 30, 31 on plates 20, 21 and 22, 23,respectively, and are connected at one end to side frame members 14 andat the other end to angle members 30, 31, respectively. The horizontallegs of these angle members 30, 31 and 32 define workpiece supportingsurfaces or serve as supporting surfaces for a separate workpiecesupporting member such as the member indicated at 33 in FIGURE 4. Member33 is secured to base 11 by bolts 17 extending through suitable openingsformed therein and selectively penetrating through the slots defined byplates 15, 16; 20, 21; and 22, 23.

Preferably, positioning blocks 34 are mounted on base 11 by bolts 17penetrating through the aforementioned slots and are suitably positionedthereon to correctly position a workpiece or workpiece supporting member33 thereon. An upright standard 35 is mounted on base 11 at each cornerthereof by any suitable means such as welding and projects upwardlytherefrom. Standards 35 are preferably formed of suitable channel stockfor compressive strength with the web portion 35a thereof beingpositioned against side frame members 14 and the legs 35b thereofextending outwardly on the opposite side of web portion 35a from members14. Each of the standards 35 has an elongate vertically extendingopening 36 formed in the web thereof for reception of suitable bolts 37which penetrate therethrough.

An upper frame 40, comprising side frame members 41 which are connectedat opposite ends by end frame members 42 and at intermediate points byintermediate frame members 43 and 44, is mounted on standards 35 bybolts 37 penetrating through suitable openings formed in upper sideframe members 41 in alinement with openings 36. A clamping block 45 isfixedly mounted on the inner end of each of the bolts 37 and cooperateswith a suitable nut 46 and washer 47 mounted on the other end of bolts37 to releasably clamp upper side frame members 41 to standards 35. Eachof the blocks 45 has a vertically extending, internally threaded openingformed therein which matingly receives an externally threaded screw 50.Screws 59 are journaled for rotation in suitable openings 51 formed inthe legs 41a of the channel side frame members 41. It is noted thatopenings 51 are of larger diameter than screws to allow upper side framemembers 41 to move vertically relative thereto without damaging thethreads thereon. The lower ends of screws 50 rest on lower side framemembers 14 and the upper ends thereof are suitably formed for receptionof a hand operated tool or the like (not shown) for rotation of screws50. It is noted that the upper frame 40 is thereby mounted for verticaladjustment to any desired position relative to base 11.

A plurality of drill supporting members 52 are mounted on rear upper endframe member 42 and on upper intermediate frame member 43 and are ofsutficient length to span the space therebetween and to have one endthereof extend into overlying relation to the workpiece supportingportion of base 11. A clamp member 53 is provided for each drill unitsupporting member 52 and is disposed beneath .and in engagement with thelower surface of rear end frame member 42 and intermediate frame member43 and spanning the space therebetween. A pair of bolts 54 penetratethrough an elongate opening 55 formed in each of the drill unitsupporting members 52 by two spaced apart longitudinal members 52a, 52bwhich are connected at one end by a spacer block 52c. Bolts 54 extenddownwardly from member 52 between the upper end and intermediate framemembers 42, 43, respectively, and then penetrate through suitableopenings formed in clamping member 53. Suitable nuts 56 are threadablymounted on the lower ends of bolts 54 and cooperate therewith toreleasably clamp the upper end and intermediate frame members betweendrill unit supporting members 52 and clamping members 53 to releasablyhold drill unit supporting members 52 in position thereon.

It is noted that elongate openings 55 allow drill unit supportingmembers 52 to be adjusted laterally of upper end and intermediate framemembers 42, 43 and hence, longitudinally of upper frame 40 and base 11.Also, drill unit supporting members 52 and clamping members 53 aremovable longitudinally of upper end and intermediate frame members 42,43 to adjust the same laterally of upper frame 40 and base 11. To aid incorrect positioning of drill unit supporting members 52 relative toupper frame 40 to achieve the desired pattern of holes to be drilled inthe workpiece, the upper surfaces of upper end and intermediate framemembers 42, 43 and 44 are provided with suitable graduations 56 and oneouter side surface of drill unit supporting members 52 is also providedwith graduations 57 adjacent the bottom surface thereof.

The forward end portions of longitudinal members 52a, 52b of drill unitsupporting members 52 are spaced apart and terminate in tapered pointswith the top and bottom surfaces converging. A T-shaped member 60 ismounted on the forward end of each of the drill unit supporting members52 with the leg portion 60a of the T-shaped member positioned betweenthe spaced apart tapered end portions of longitudinal members 52a, 5212.A bolt 61 penetrates through suitable alined openings formed in thetapered end portions of longitudinal members 52a and 52b and in the legportion 60:: of T-shaped member 60 and has a wing nut 61a thereon. Bolt61 serves as a pivot about which member 60 moves relative to drill unitsupporting member 52. An opening 62 is formed in leg portion 60a and isspaced from the opening through which bolt 61 penetrates. Opening 62 iselongated along an are having its center of curvature at the axis ofbolt 61 or at the pivot point of member 60. A second bolt 63 penetratesthrough opening 62 and suitable openings formed in longitudinal members52a, 52b in alinement with opening 62 and has a wing nut 63a thereonwhich serves to clampingly lock leg portion 69a in adjusted position.

To aid in correctly positioning T-shaped member 60 relative tosupporting member 52, suitable graduations 64 are provided on the legportion 60a of T-shaped member 61) and an opening 65 is provided inlongitudinal member 52a for viewing these graduations.

The cross portion 60b of T-shaped member 69 is formed integral with oris mounted on leg portion 60a by any internally threaded openings 73formed in wedge-shaped member 70. It is noted that openings 67 are of agreater width than the diameter of bolts 71 so that bolts '71 may beloosened andthe angular position of wedge-shaped member 71) relative toT-shaped member 60 may be adjusted. In this regard, wedge-shaped member70 has a protuberance 74 thereon which is matingly received in recess 66of cross portion 60b to serve as a pivot point for wedge-shaped member70 in the angular adjustment thereof relative to T-shaped member 60.

Suitable graduations 75 are provided on the top surface of cross portion69b and a base line 76 is provided on the top surface of the reducedportion of wedge-shaped member 70 to aid in the correct angularpositioning of member 70 relative to member 60. It is noted that asimilar base line (not shown) is provided on the other end or oppositeend surface of member 70 for cooperation with graduations 75 sincemember 70 is frequently inverted from the position shown in FIGURE 5.For example, members 70 are shown in FIGURE 1 with alternate membersdisposed in the positionshown in FIGURE 5 with intervening membersdisposed in inverted position. Due to the tapered surfaces on thereduced portion, this arrangement allows members 70 to be positionedcloser together and hence allows the holes to bedrilled in the workpiecein very closely spaced relation if desired.

A drill mounting block or chuck 89 is formed in two sections 80a, 80band section 8012 is mounted on Wedgeshaped member 70 by a pair of bolts81 penetrating through suitable openings 82 formed in member 70 and intointernally threaded openings 83 formed in section 80b. Section 80a isadjustably mounted on section 80b by bolts 84 which extend throughalined openings 85 formed in section 811a and into internally threadedopen ings 86 formed in section 8012. The adjacent surfaces of sections80a and 8% are provided with vertically extending semi-circular recessesfor clampingly receiving a drill unit 90 having a rotatable andextensible drill bit 91.

Drill units 90 are preferably of the fluid operable type wherein boththe rotation of drill bits 91 and the extension thereof relative to theworkpiece is effected by action of suitable fluid which is preferablycompressed air, but is not necessarily limited thereto. A spring 91a(FIGURE 4) is provided in each drill unit 90 for biasing the drill bit91 toward the retracted position with a predetermined force. Drill units90 are of conventional construction with a representative type beingshown and described in Patent No. 2,881,589, issued to Hitt et al. onApril 14, 1959. Therefore, the drill units will not be specificallydescribed herein since the particular structure thereof forms no part ofthe present invention.

Each of the drill units 99 has a first inlet pipe 92 communicating withthe interior of the units for delivering fluid to rotate bits 91. Aflexible line 93 is connected at one end to pipe 92 and at the other endto a pipe 94 which in turn is mounted on and communicatively connectedto a first manifold 95. Manifold 95 is mounted by suitable brackets 96on the rear end frame member 13 of base 11. A pipe 97 is connected atone end to first manifold 95 and is connected at its other end to asuitable fluid pressure source 98, such as an air compressor or thelike.

A valve 101), preferably of the pet cock type, is disposed in pipe 97 tocontrol the passage of fluid therethrough.

Also, an air filter mechanism 101 of conventional struc-.

ture is disposed in pipe 97 for filtering impurities from the air and aregulating valve 192 also of conventional structure is also disposed inpipe 97 for controlling the pressure of the fluid delivered by pipe 97to manifold 95. A lubricating apparatus 103 is also disposed in pipe 97for entraining particles of a suitable lubricant in the air passingthrough pipe 97 such that these particles of lubricant will be deliveredby the air to the operating parts of drill units for lubricating thesame.

Each of the drill units 90 has a second inlet pipe 104 communicativelyconnected thereto for delivering fluid thereto to extend drill bit 91. Aflexible line 105 is connected at one end to pipe 104 and attthe otherend to a valve 106, preferably of the pet cock type, which in turn isconnected by a pipe 107 to a second manifold 116. Manifold 110 ismounted by brackets 111 on one of the lower side frame members 14 andincludes an inlet pipe 112. A flexible feed line 113 is communicativelyconnected at one end to inlet pipe 112 and at its other end to a valve114. t

Valve 114 includes .a valve plunger 115 which is normally biased to theclosed position by a spring 116. A foot treadle 117 is pivotally mountedon valve base 114a and is pivotally connected to plunger 115 for manualmovement of plunger 115 to the open position against the action ofspring 116. A flexible line 120 is connected at one end to the oppositeside of valve 114 from line 113 and at its other end to pipe 97 at apoint disposed on the opposite side of lubricating mechanism 103 fromfluid pressure source 98.

It is noted that drill unit supporting members 52 and drill units 90carried thereby may also be mounted on the forward end frame member 42and intermediate frame member 44, as shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 1,if desired, so that additional holes may be formed in the workpiece orso that a different pattern of holes may be formed therein at adifferent location than would be possible using the previously describeddrill units and supporting members. Also, if the particular desiredpattern of holes to be drilled in the workpiece dictated the same, thepreviously described drill unit supporting members and drill unitscarried thereby could be moved from rear end frame member 42 andintermediate frame mem- .ber 43 to the other end and intermediate framemembers.

A work clamping device is generally indicated at 121 and includes amounting bar 122 which is mounted at opposite ends on upper side framemembers 41 by suitable U bolts 123 which have suitable nuts 124 matinglyreceived on the threaded leg portions thereof. Mounting bar 1212 isnormally positioned adjacent to the bank of drill units 90 in overlyingrelation to the workpiece sup porting portion of base 11. A mountingblock 125 is mounted on the horizontal portion of mounting bar 122 andhas an opening extending vertically therethrough which is alined with anopening formed in the horizontal portion of bar 122. A spindle 126extends through these openings and is vertically adjustably connectedthereto by a set screw 127 threadably mounted in an internally threadedopening in block 125. A fluid operable cylinder 130 is carried by thelower end of spindle 126 and includes a piston (not shown) therein whichis biased upwardly or toward the retracted position by a spring 131a(FIGURE 4). The piston disposed in cylinder 130 has a piston rod 131'extending outwardly therefrom which is connected at its lower end to awork clamping bar 132. An inlet pipe 133 is communicatively connected atone end to cylinder 130 on the side of the piston disposed thereinopposite from piston rod 131 and is connected at its other end to aflexible line 134 which in turn is connected to second manifold 110 by apipe 135.

In operation, when it is desired to drill holes in a workpiece of aparticular configuration, the positioning blocks 34 are positioned onbase 11 to correctly receive and position the workpiece therebetween orto receive and posit-ion steeper i workpiece supporting member 33therebetween if the holes are to extend completely through the workpieceW or if the workpiece is small. In this regard, since drill units 95have a constant stroke or length of extension, the depth of all of theholes to be drilled in the workpiece W is collectively varied byadjustment of the vertical position of upper frame 40 relative to base11 and is individually varied by adjustment of the vertical position ofdrill units 96 in mounting chucks 80. The pattern of the holes to bedrilled is then set by both lateral and longitudinal adjustment of drillunit supporting members 52 relative to the upper end and intermediateframe members 42 and 43 of the upper frame 40. To effect thisadjustment, the nuts 56 on clamping bolts 54 are loosened and the drillunit supporting members 52 are positioned relative to the frame members42 and 43 and relative to each other to set the pattern and the spacingof the holes to be drilled in the workpiece.

It is noted that the aforementioned graduations 56 and 57 may beutilized to aid in correctly positioning the drill unit supportingmember 52 on frame members 42 and 43. It is further noted that, for oneparticular type of workpiece and pattern, the different positions of thedrill unit supporting members may be recorded and, when it is desired torepeat the same pattern for this particular workpiece, the drill unitsupporting members may be quickly returned to the positions reflected bythe graduations.

The angles at which the individual holes are to be drilled in theworkpiece relative to both a vertical plane extending laterally of base11 and a vertical plane extending longitudinal of base 11 are then setby individual angular adjustment of each of the drill units 90. To setthe angle of the drill units relative to the aforementioned lateralvertical lane, Wing nut 63a on bolt 63 is loosened and T-shaped member60 is pivoted about bolt 61 until drill unit 9t) is disposed at thedesired angle and nut 63a is then tightened n bolt 63. Graduations 64may be utilized to aid in setting this angle and are preferablycalibrated in degrees of angular adjustment. To set the angle of drillunits 90 relative to the aforementioned longitudinal vertical plane,bolts 71 are loosened and Wedge-shaped member 70 is pivoted aboutprotuberance 74 in recess 55 until drill unit 90 is disposed at thedesired angle. Bolts '71 arethen tightened and the apparatus is then setto drill the holes in the workpiece in the predetermined pattern and atthe predetermined angles.

Workpiece W is then placed into position on base 11, or on workpiecesupporting member 33 carried by base 11, underlying drill bits 91 ofdrill units 90. With the workpiece thusly positioned, the operatorpresses downwardly on foot treadle 117 which opens valve 114 and allowsfluid under pressure to flow through line 113 to second manifold 110. Itis noted that the fluid is delivered to valve 114 from fluid pressuresource 98 through pet cock valve 100, air filter 101, pressure regulator102 and lubricating device 103, all disposed in pipe 97 and then throughflexible line 120. Assuming that all drill units 90 are to be used, thepet cock valves 106 will all be opened and fluid under pressure willflow from second manifold 110 through lines 105 to drill units 90.

Since there are no valves other than valve 100 between fluid pressuresource 98 and first manifold 95 and between first manifold 95 and drillunits 90, fluid under pressure will be delivered to drill units 90 bylines 93 at all times when valve 100 is open. The drill bits 91 arethereby continuously rotated when valve 100 is open. Upon opening ofvalve 114, drill bits 91 will thereby be advanced toward workpiece Wuntil the same penetrate thereinto to the desired depth or their fullstroke of advancement. At the same time, air will be delivered fromsecond manifold 110 through line 134 to cylinder 130. The pistondisposed in cylinder 130 will thereby be moved to the extended positionwhich will move clamping 8 bar 132 into clamping engagement with theworkpiece W.

When the drill units have moved to their furtherest point ofadvancement, the operator releases foot treadle 117 allowing spring 116to move plunger 155 to the closed position thereby stopping the flow ofair to second manifold 119. Upon the stoppage of the flow of air to thedrill units and to cylinder 130, the springsprovided therein will movethe drill bits of drill units 90 and the piston disposed in cylinder tothe retracted position out of engagement with workpiece W.

Preferably, the spring 131a provided in cylinder 130 for retracting thepiston therein is of a lesser resistance to compression than the springs91a for moving drill bits 91 to the retracted position such thatclamping bar 132 will be moved into clamping engagement with theworkpiece W prior to drill bits 91 being moved into penetratingengagement therewith and so that drill bits 91 will be moved out ofengagement with workpiece W prior to clamping bar 132 being moved out ofengagement therewith. Therefore, workpiece W will be securely heldduring the time when drill bits 91 are in engagement therewith.

It will therefore be apparent that a novel drilling apparatus isprovided for drilling a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a singleoperation, in variable patterns and at variable angles.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

We claim:

1. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in aworkpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatuscomprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size andshape thereon,

(b) means adjustably carried by said base and engageable with workpiecesof varying size and shape to insure correct positioning of theworkpieces on said base,

(c) an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relativethereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion ofsaid base adjacent to the workpiece receiving portion of said base,

(d) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members slidablymounted on said upper frame for linear longitudinal and transversemovement relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base andhaving one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to saidworkpiece receiving portion,

(e) a bank of drill units each including a normally rotating drill bitmounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with aworkpiece,

(f) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of saiddrill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a firsthorizontal pivot,

(g) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotalmovement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said firsthorizontal ivot,

(h) means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting saiddrill units thereon in overlying relation to said workpiece receivingportion of said base and for independent vertical adjustment relative tosaid base whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linearadjustment longitudinally, transversely and vertically of said workpiecereceiving portion of said base and for individual universal angularadjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion, and

(i) means mounted on said upper frame in overlying relation to saidworkpiece receiving portion of said base and operable in timed relationto the extension of said drill bits for movement toward said workpiecereceiving portion for clamping engagement with a workpiece carriedthereby to hold the workpiece in position during the formation of theholes therein. 2. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity ofholes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, saidapparatus comprising bers slidably mounted on said upper frame forlinear longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said workpiecereceiving portion of said base and having one end thereof normallydisposed in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion, (d)visual indicating means disposed on said upper frame and said drill unitsupporting members for facilitating the positioning of the drill unitsupporting members on siad upper frame in the desired pattern relativeto the workpiece supporting portion of said base,

(e) a bank of drill units each including a normally rotating drill bitmounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with aworkpiece,

(f) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of saiddrill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a horizontalpivot,

(g) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotalmovement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said firsthorizontal pivot,

(h) visual indicating means disposed on said first member for indicatingthe angular position of said first member relative to said drill unitsupporting member and for indicating the angular position of said secondmember relative to said first member to facilitate the positioning ofsaid first and second members in the desired angular position relativeto the workpiece supporting portion of said base, and

(i) means carried by said second members forclampingly mounting saiddrill units thereon in overlying relation to said workpiece receivingportion of said base and for vertical adjustment relative to said basewhereby said drill units are mounted for individual linear adjustmentlongitudinally, transversely and vertically relative to said workpiecereceiving portion of said base as well as for individual universalangular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion so thatholes may be drilled in a workpiece disposed thereon in any desiredpattern, at varying depths and at any desired angles including compoundangles.

3. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in aworkpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatuscomrising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size andshape thereon,

(b) a bank of drill units, greater than two in number, disposed abovethe workpiece receiving portion of said base and each including (1) anormally rotating drill bit mounted for movement toward said base forpenetrating engagement with a workpiece carried thereby and (2) firstspring means biasing said drill bit away i from said base with apredetermined force,

(0) means pivotally mounting said drill units on said base forindividual universal angular adjustment relative to said base and aworkpiece carried thereby to form each hole in the workpiece at anydesired angle, including a compound angle,

(d) means, independently operable of said pivotal mounting means,operatively connected to said drill units for mounting the same forindividual linear adjustment longitudinally and transversely of saidbase to position the drill units in any desired pattern relative to eachother to form the holes in the workpiece in a predetermined pattern,

10 (e) means, independently operable of said former mounting means andsaid latter mounting means,

operatively connected to said drill units for mounting the same forvertical adjustment relative to said a base to vary the depth of theholes to be formed in a workpiece carried by said base, and

(f) means disposed above the workpiece receiving portion of said baseand including (1) workpiece clamping means mounted for movement towardsaid base for clamping engagement with a workpiece carired thereby and(2) second spring means biasing said workpiece clamping means away fromsaid base with a force less than said predetermined force at which saiddrill bits are biased upwardly.

4. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in aworkpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatuscomprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size andshape thereon,

(b) means carried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom,

(c) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting membersslidably'mounted on said upwardly extending means for linearlongitudinal and transverse movement thereof relative to said base andhaving one end thereof disposed in overlying relation to the workpiecereceiving portion of said base,

(d) a bank of drill units each including a normally rotating drill bitmounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with aworkpiece and first spring means biasing said drill bit upwardly with apredetermined force,

(e) means carried by said one end of said supporting members forpivotally mounting said drill units on said supporting members :forindividual universal angular adjustment thereof relative to said baseand a workpiece carried thereby to form each of the holes in theworkpiece at any desired angle including a compound angle, and

(f) workpiece clamping means disposed above said base and including aclamping member mounted for downwardly extensible movement to clamp aworkpiece on said base and second spring means operatively associatedwith said clamping member for biasing said clamping member upwardly witha force less than the predetermined force at which said first springmeans upwardly biases said drill bits.

5. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in aworkpiece in a variable pattern and at variable 6 angles, said apparatuscomprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size andshape thereon,

, (b) an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustmentrelative thereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to aportion of said base adjacent to the workpiece receiving portion of saidbase,

' (c) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members slidablymounted on said upper frame for linear longitudinal and transversemovement relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base andhaving one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to saidworkpiece receiving portion,

(d) a bank of fluid operable drill units each including (1) a normallyrotating drill bit mounted for ex- 1 l tensible movement intopenetrating engagement with a workpiece and (2) first spring meanshaving a predetermined resistance to compression and operativelyassociated with said drill bit for biasing the same upwardly with apredetermined force,

(e) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of saiddrill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a firsthorizontal pivot,

(f) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotalmovement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said firsthorizontal pivot,

(g) means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting saiddrill units thereon in overlying relation to said workpiece receivingportion of said base, whereby said drill units are mounted forindividual linear adjustment longitudinally and transversely of saidworkpiece receiving portion of said base and for individual universalangular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion so thatholes may be drilled in a workpiece disposed thereon in any desiredpattern and at any desired angles, including compound angles,

(h) fluid operable workpiece clamping means carried by said upper frameand including (1) a clamping member mounted for downwardly extensiblemovement to clamp a workpiece disposed therebeneath and (2) secondspring means having a resistance to compression less than thepredetermined resistance to compression of said first spring means andbeing operatively associated with said clamping member for biasing thesame upwardly with a force less than the predetermined force at whichsaid drill bits are upwardly biased, and

(i) common fluid supply means operatively connected to said drill unitsand said workpiece clamping means for supplying fluid under pressurethereto to first move said clamping means downwardly into clampingengagement with a workpiece and then to move said drill bits intopenetrating engagement with the thusly clamped workpiece.

6. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in aworkpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatuscomprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size andshape thereon,

(b) means adjustably carried by said base and engageable with workpiecesof varying size and shape to insure correct positioning of theworkpieces on said base,

() an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relativethereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion ofsaid base adjacent to the workpiece receiving portion of said base,

(d) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members slidablymounted on said upper frame for linear longitudinal and transversemovement relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base andhaving one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to saidworkpiece receiving portion,

(e) a bank of fluid operable drill units each including a rotatable,upwardly biased drill bit mounted for extensible movement intopenetrating engagement with a workpiece,

(f) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of saiddrill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a firsthorizontal pivot,

(g) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotalmovement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said firsthorizontal pivot,

(h) means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting saiddrill units thereon in overlying c a 12 relation to said workpiecereceiving portion of said base and for vertical adjustment relativethereto whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linearadjustment longitudinally, transversely and vertically of said workpiecereceiving portion of said base and for individual universal angularadjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion,

(i) means mounted on said upper frame in overlying relation to saidworkpiece receiving portion of said base and including workpiececlamping means upwardly biased with a force less than the upward bias ofsaid drill bits and being mounted for movement toward said workpiecereceiving portion for clamping engagement with a workpiece carriedthereby,

(j) first fluid supply means operatively connected to said drill unitsfor supplying fluid under pressure thereto for rotating said drill bits,and

(k) second fluid supply means operatively connected to said drill unitsand said workpiece clamping means and selectively operable tosimultaneously supply fluid under pressure thereto to move said drillbits and said workpiece clamping means toward said base, said fluidpressure moving said workpiece clamping means into engagement with aworkpiece prior to moving said drill bits into penetrating engagementtherewith and maintaining said clamping means in engagement with theworkpiece longer than said drill bits due to the differential upwardbiasing forces thereon to securely hold the workpiece in position duringthe formation of holes therein.

7. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in aworkpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatuscomprising (a) an elongate base adapted to receive workpieces of varyingsize and shape thereon,

(b) workpiece positioning means adjustably carried by said base andengageable with workpieces of varying size for correctly positioning theworkpieces on said base,

(c) an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relativethereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion ofsaid base adjacent the workpiece receiving portion of said base, saidupper frame including a pair of spaced apart frame members extendinglaterally of said base,

(d) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members extendinglaterally of said spaced apart frame members and longitudinally of saidbase and slidably mounted on said spaced apart frame members for linearlongitudinal and transverse movement relative to said base and havingone end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to saidworkpiece receiving portion,

(e) a bank of fluid operable drill units each including (1) a rotatabledrill bit mounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagementwith a workpiece carried by said base, and

(2) first spring means having a predetermined resistance to compressionand being operatively associated with said drill bit for biasing saiddrill bit upwardly away from said base with a predetermined force,

(f) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of saiddrill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a firsthorizontal pivot,

(g) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotalmovement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said firsthorizontal pivot,

(h) clamp means carried by said second members for clampingly mountingsaid drill units therein in overlying relation to said workpiecereceiving portion of said base and for vertical adjustment relativethereto, whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linearadjustment longitudinally, transverse- 23 ly and vertically of saidworkpiece receiving portion of said base and are collectively verticallyadjustable relative to said base and are mounted for individualuniversal angular adjustment relative to said workpiece receivingportion,

(i) means mounted on said frame for vertical adjustment in overlyingrelation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and including(1) a workpiece clamping member mounted for downward movement towardsaid workpiece receiving portion of said base for clamping engagementwith a workpiece carried thereby, and

(2) second spring means having a resistance to compression less than thepredetermined resistance to compression of said first spring means andoperatively associated with said workpiece clamping member for biasingthe same upward- 1y with a force less than the predetermined force atwhich the drill bits are biased upwardly by said first spring means,

(j) fluid supply means for supplying fluid at a predetermined pressureexceeding the resistance to compression of said first spring means,

(k) a first manifold operatively connected to said fluid supply meansand to said drill units and nor- References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 544,495 8/95 Zinzen 7724 780,573 1/05 Nash 77---241,858,677 5/32 McKnight 144-112 1,860,700 5/32 Bauch 1441l2 2,5 32,67012/50 Croft 77-31 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

25 JOHN C. CHRISTIE, Examiner.

1. A DRILLING APPARATUS FOR FORMING A MULTIPLICITY OF HOLES IN AWORKPIECE IN A VARIABLE PATTERN AND AT VARIABLE ANGLES, SAID APPARATUSCOMPRISING (A) A BASE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE WORKPIECES OF VARYING SIZE ANDSHAPE THEREON, (B) MEANS ADJUSTABLY CARRIED BY SAID BASE AND ENGAGEABLEWITH WORKPIECES OF VARYING SIZE AND SHAPE TO INSURE CORRECT POSITIONINGOF THE WORKPIECES ON SAID BASE, (C) AN UPPER FRAME MOUNTED ON SAID BASEFOR VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE THERETO AND NORMALLY BEING SPACED INOVERLYING RELATION TO A PORTION OF SAID BASE ADJACENT TO THE WORKPIECERECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE, (D) A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE DRILL UNITSUPPORTING MEMBERS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID UPPER FRAME FOR LINEARLONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID WORKPIECERECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE AND HAVING ONE END THEREOF NORMALLYDISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION, (E)A BANK OF DRILL UNITS EACH INCLUDING A NORMALLY ROTATING DRILL BITMOUNTED FOR EXTENSIBLE MOVEMENT IN PENETRATING ENGAGEMENT WITH AWORKPIECE, (F) A FIRST MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID ONE END OF EACHOF SAID DRILL UNIT SUPPORTING MEMBERS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A FIRSTHORIZONTAL PIVOT, (G) A SECOND MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FIRSTMEMBER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SECOND HORIZONTAL PIVOTPERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST HORIZONTAL PIVOT, (H) MEANS CARRIED BY SAIDSECOND MEMBERS FOR CLAMPINGLY MOUNTING SAID DRILL UNITS THEREON INOVERLYING RELATION TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE ANDFOR INDEPENDENT VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BASE WHEREBY SAIDDRILL UNITS ARE MOUNTED FOR INDIVIDUAL LINEAR ADJUSTMENT LONGITUDINALLY,TRANSVERSELY AND VERTICALLY OF SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAIDBASE AND FOR INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSAL ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE TO SAIDWORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION, AND (I) MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID UPPER FRAMEIN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASEAND OPERABLE IN TIMED RELATION TO THE EXTENSION OF SAID DRILL BITS FORMOVEMENT TOWARD SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION FOR CLAMPING ENGAGEMENTWITH A WORKPIECE CARRIED THEREBY TO HOLD THE WORKPIECE IN POSITIONDURING THE FORMATION OF THE HOLES THEREIN.